Safety and Security Operational Review

The Widefield School District Security Department
monitors and maintains the security systems. This includes the access control,
closed circuit television systems (CCTV) and various intruder detection
systems. The security components are fully integrated at each school. All of
the schools’ systems comprise a seamless, districtwide networked security
management system.

The most
visible security equipment at the schools is the proximity card readers at
designated entrances and the security cameras on the exterior of the building.
Proximity card readers provide accountability for who is coming into the
building. CCTV cameras are a useful crime deterrent, and, by working in
conjunction with the access controls system, the cameras provide accountability
for access during both regular business hours and outside of business hours
(nights and weekends). The cameras also provide surveillance of the school
grounds.

In
addition to providing detection of unauthorized entries into the schools, the
security system addresses key control, vandalism, and emergency planning
issues. This provides Widefield School District with documentation on who
accesses the schools and when they are accessed. Exterior cameras and detection
devices provide prevention, notification, and documentation of vandal-related
incidents. The security system also helps in planning and preparing for
emergencies by allowing the school to be locked down from the school's main
office or from the Widefield School District security office, and it provides
camera views of the exterior during a lock-down situation

Safety
and Security are the highest priorities in our schools

Please know that the safety of the students in our
care is of the utmost importance. While it is impossible to guarantee that
dangerous situations will never happen in and around our schools, we take
far-reaching preventive measures. The most important thing we can do is be
aware of who is in and around our schools.

It has been standard practice to require visitors
to check in at the main office and receive a visitor’s badge. We are asking all
school personnel to make sure this is a priority.

We stress to employees the importance of stopping
individuals they do not know. Students, especially older ones, are asked to
report any unidentified individuals to a teacher or other school official right
away.

We are also taking extra care to keep
non-essential doors locked. Our high schools have multiple entrances, but we
are restricting access at each high school.

You as parents and neighbors of our schools can be
very helpful by being aware of what is going on in and around the building and
reporting unusual activity.

Local law enforcement and district security
officials are increasing their presence around our schools.

Our district security system is currently one of
the most advanced systems used.

We work closely with local law enforcement through
the preparation of and drilling for various emergency responses and through our
school resource officers to help keep our schools safe learning environments
for our students.

Emergency Planning

All schools have implemented National Incident
Command System within their emergency response teams.

All Widefield School District Schools are equipped
with automated external defibrillators. Each school has CPR, First Aid, and AED
trained staff members assigned to the Incident Command Teams.

Widefield School District has full radio
communication interoperability with all area first responders.

Continue to meet with emergency responders.

School-level emergency response plans will be
revised/updated when necessary to be consistent with the National Incident
Command System.

Widefield School District allows first responders
to train regularly in our schools preparing for emergencies.

Emergency Procedures Handbook has been printed in
an easy-to-read, flip chart format and distributed.

The El Paso County Sheriff, Security/ Fountain
Fire Departments, and other emergency responders have been given the district’s
"Emergency Management Plan" and complete virtual floor plans of all
district buildings. Plans are updated every semester.

Security and emergency planning improvements are
budgeted for annually.

Widefield School District will continue to update,
evolve, and improve as needed.